The bladder is a small organ inside the pelvis that holds water and filters out waste products from urine. The good news here is that cancer of the bladder is sporadic. Pain in this region can indicate anything from severe health issues like cancer to minor infections, so women who suffer from pain must be diagnosed quickly!
It’s not always easy to identify bladder pain. Though there are some clear signs, such as pain during urination, other symptoms can be more subtle and easy to overlook. In this post, we’ll discuss four of the leading causes of bladder pain, as well as the associated symptoms. We hope this information will help you better understand your own body and seek appropriate treatment if needed.
Urinary Tract Infections
One of the most common causes of bladder pain is a urinary tract infection. UTIs occur when bacteria enter the urinary tract and multiply causing inflammation and pain. Women are more susceptible to UTIs than men, due to their shorter urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body). Symptoms of a UTI include:
- pain or burning during urination
- frequent urination
- urine that appears cloudy or has a strong odor
- pain in the lower back or abdomen
UTI is more common in women of childbearing age but can occur at any age. If you suspect you have a UTI, see your doctor for treatment. Untreated UTIs can lead to more serious infections, such as cystitis (inflammation of the bladder) and urosepsis (a potentially life-threatening infection that spreads to the bloodstream).
Interstitial Cystitis
This is an extremely severe case of bladder discomfort syndrome. Cystitis is a long-term bladder disease that may cause discomfort and pressure in the bladder and pelvic region. The symptoms might appear and disappear, with a pressing desire to pee even when your bladder is not full. The most common side effects include burning, itching, and discomfort during intercourse. Pelvic pain, bloody urine, and exhaustion are also possible symptoms. Although there is no cure for interstitial cystitis, several treatments may assist to relieve the condition. Some of those therapies include:
- Use of a heating pad or other pain relievers for localized discomfort
- Medicines that reduce inflammation and pain, such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxen sodium.
- Some types of bladder instillation therapy (bladder washouts) may include: hydrodistension (stretch) cystoscopy with hydrodistension saline infusion cystourethrography performed by the patient during uroflow to assess bladder capacity and compliance; the number of uninhibited contractions; sensation thresholds to distention; maximum tolerable volume.